Some perspective on "closing"...

[LimeyGator]

So it's Sunday 16th December 2012 and there are 52 days until National Signing Day.

As things stand, Florida has the highest ranked recruiting class according to ESPN, we are No.3 on 24/7, we are No.6 on Scout.

We are hitting hard on the recruiting trail and filling in positions of need. We have been flipping recruits from other SEC programs and beyond, and have by anyone's definition a superb incoming class of recruits.

So is this a thread to self-congratulate? No, it's the avoid the debacle that hit the forums last February when seemingly everyone felt a similar outcome was totally unacceptable.

In 2012 this class brought in Bullard, Fowler, Humphries, Jones and co who have all shown what great assets they are going to be for the O&B. We completed a consensus top 5 class with solid depth across the board, yet all we heard about was how we whiffed on Josh Harvey Clemons, Tracey Howard, Stefon Diggs and Leonard Williams at the very end.

Let's not fall into the same trap again this year, eh?

This class has terrific depth. The secondary recruits are potentially frightening, we have a mouthwatering LB corps, many excellent additions on the line, several excellent WRs and a pair of RBs that will shake up against anyone's backfield recruits in the nation.

We have a terrific incoming class and I don't want to hear how Robert Nkemdiche, selecting Ole Miss at the end of the process despite having a Gator offer is a "coaching disgrace" by Muschamp's team to see him go to a lesser program, or something to that extent.

Or Laremy Tunsil, who we ALL know the Gator coaches like and who even says he wants to take a visit, but in reality is going to the Dawgs or Tide based on everything we've seen for months on end... let's not act shocked when it happens and lose perspective.

The same applies for Alexander, who USC will likely hold onto, or Montravius Adams, who we all yearn for as Floyd goes pro but will probably end up in Athens, again as he seems to be suggesting and has done for a while.

The mantra should be to keep some perspective.

Yes, we may have a recruit or two pinched or decommitted ourselves even but overall, on paper this class is once again the culmination of a lot of long, hard work and relationship building and the coaches deserve some credit for their efforts.

So how about it Gator fans? Are we going to keep an even keel for the next 52 days and recognise what we have got rather than what we don't end up with? I doubt it, but my conscience is clear... it was worth a try :)

GO GATORS!

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Forget Tunsil. It was never going to happen.

Florida has filled every need so far. If we don't sign another player it won't matter. Florida has killed it on the offensive line, at linebacker and receiver-if the group they signed remains intact. Florida needed numbers at each of those three posisitions, and absolutely blew it away.

It would be nice to get another elite defensive tackle and maybe another running back. We'll have four running backs heading into the fall, and injuries can mount up quickly.

My perspective on this class is that we've gotten what we needed. Whether this class ends up #1 or seventh doesn't really matter. Muschamp has filled needs where he's had to...and added a whole lot more to be excited about.

[deathroll]

Oh please. I am Gator. If any of the thousands of recruits prefers any of the hundreds of other schools, our coaches have failed Gator Nation/the city of Gainesville/the State of Florida/the team/the school and, most importantly, ME (and I secretly suspected that these guys couldn't close).

[NoahBeanBizzel]

By the way, it's not like you're supposed to be excited about losing Agholor, Diggs, Williams, Howard, and Harvey-Clemmons. Particularly when you look at the talent Florida returned at receiver. Yeah, it was a great class we signed in February, but we failed to fill the need we had at receiver.

The difference between this year's class and last year's, is that we have completely filled our needs. Last year we brought in a great defensive haul, but could've done a lot better at receiver and could've done a bit better at running back and across the offensive line.

[AFCyberGator]

By the way, it's not like you're supposed to be excited about losing Agholor, Diggs, Williams, Howard, and Harvey-Clemmons. Particularly when you look at the talent Florida returned at receiver. Yeah, it was a great class we signed in February, but we failed to fill the need we had at receiver.

The difference between this year's class and last year's, is that we have completely filled our needs. Last year we brought in a great defensive haul, but could've done a lot better at receiver and could've done a bit better at running back and across the offensive line.

Agreed. I was okay with whiffing on some big names, but worried that we left holes open on the roster. This year, the only hole we might be missing is at kicker. Maybe.

[ih8danoles]

Agreed. I was okay with whiffing on some big names, but worried that we left holes open on the roster. This year, the only hole we might be missing is at kicker. Maybe.We signed a top 5 kicker last cycle who had an entire redshirt year to learn under one of the best kickers in UF history..

[MadduxFanII]

Right, to echo what a couple others before me said, the problem last year wasn't "closing." Nor was it front-end talent: we had plenty of that. The problem last year was that we had significant needs and failed to fill them. Those of us who were worried about that were constantly told, "Stop obsessing about signing day, it's all about who you get, not how you close," which was true but irrelevant.

Now, this class appears to meet the criteria so many tried to use to defend last year's class. Most (if not all) needs filled, filled early, without relying on signing day to make the class complete. If that had happened last year, I certainly wouldn't have complained, regardless of what happened on signing day itself.

[mdfgator]

we were a mess on offense last year, we lost our slim coach, that is tough to deal with, thats why we were a bit short on that side of the ball last year. this year, well, is a different story..

[samit23]

We completed a consensus top 5 class with solid depth across the board, yet all we heard about was how we whiffed on Josh Harvey Clemons, Tracey Howard, Stefon Diggs and Leonard Williams at the very end.!

Who are these guys? I don't think I heard any of these names called this year. I did hear Bo Morrison's name a few times though...

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

[The_Graygator]

All I'd love to add to this class is another DT and either a TE or ATH.

That said, if we stopped now, I'm ecstatic to say the least.

Never understood why so many harped and whined last year over a concensus #5 class anyway.

[GATORAZ]

Who are these guys? I don't think I heard any of these names called this year. I did hear Bo Morrison's name a few times though...

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

Diggs and Williams had huge years. I really wish we got Williams but his coach clearly has something against Florida. Williams was set to pick Florida until his coach changed his mind on NSD. He also coaches Q Powell who just decommitted

[The_Graygator]

Just imagine for Agholor and Diggs though, "if" they'd have come to UF. We may be in the BCSCG this year with those extra two threats at wide-out.

That said, I'm not second-guessing for them, I'm thinking they're both taking a look at the way UF is 11-1 and playing in a BCS bowl this year and their teams basically stink. :wink:

And btw, I still think Agholor will transfer back East when all is said and done, and Diggs eventually ends up at OSU with Meyer, but that's just me.

[GATORAZ]

Just imagine for Agholor and Diggs though, "if" they'd have come to UF. We may be in the BCSCG this year with those extra two threats at wide-out.

That said, I'm not second-guessing for them, I'm thinking they're both taking a look at the way UF is 11-1 and playing in a BCS bowl this year and their teams basically stink. :wink:

And btw, I still think Agholor will transfer back East when all is said and done, and Diggs eventually ends up at OSU with Meyer, but that's just me.

Diggs is a king in his home state and was a freshmen AA he is not leaving. Nelson will start at USC if Woods leaves. And no matter what he will start is Jr and Sr year at USC. Diggs knew Maryland wasn't going to be BCS bond when he committed.

Once Charlie left the chance of getting those two was pretty slim.

[The_Graygator]

Might be one of the more ridiculous things I have seen stated. Diggs is a king in his home state and was a freshmen AA he is not leaving. Nelson will start at USC if Woods leaves. And no matter what he will start is Jr and Sr year at USC. Diggs knew Maryland wasn't going to be BCS bond when he committed.

Once Charlie left the chance of getting those two was pretty slim.


As "ridiculous" as Diggs expecting to "play for championships" at Maryland? :whistle:

So, it's not ridiculous at all actually.

It's human nature to look back and second guess, especially for a 19 year old kid who's looking at his football future.

[GATORAZ]

As "ridiculous" as Diggs expecting to "play for championships" at Maryland? :whistle:

So, it's not ridiculous at all actually.

It's human nature to look back and second guess, especially for a 19 year old kid who's looking at his football future.

I tried to change the first line. Diggs is not going to transfer to Ohio State why would he do that?

[The_Graygator]

I wasn't offended. I got what you were saying. :wink:

It was just my opinion anyway, but I think a very good player like Diggs will really want to play for something besides being the big fish in the small pond at Maryland and head elsewhere. As for Agholor, everything I read on him indicated a very, VERY close family and it wouldn't surprise me to see him get homesick.

[GATORAZ]

I wasn't offended. I got what you were saying. :wink:

It was just my opinion anyway, but I think a very good player like Diggs will really want to play for something besides being the big fish in the small pond at Maryland and head elsewhere. As for Agholor, everything I read on him indicated a very, VERY close family and it wouldn't surprise me to see him get homesick.
good because I did not want to offend you.

Diggs just wants attention and the ball which he will get at Maryland. By transferring you cant play for a year. Kids choose schools for different reasons he is smart enough to know he was never going to compete for a title at Maryland. He wont be transferring to tOSU. I think Florida writers tried to play up every angle during Nelson's recruitment since he did not speak to the media much. Not saying he wont but I would be pretty shocked if he transferred back to the east coast unless there was an illness in the family.

[The_Graygator]

Fair enough. :wink:

[rserina]

I understand the point about filling needs. But, as others have said, there were some real extenuating factors in last year's class, from Weis' departure to the uncertainty at quarterback and in general about what kind of a system we would run to the short offensive board we were working with all the way to the fact that our top two prospects at receiver had significant factors working against us, which ended up imploding in our faces. The whole issue with closing never seemed like the issue to me, so much as the flux we had on the offensive side of the ball.

This year, many of those have been rectified. Driksel looked the part last year, Pease showed on the field the type of system he wants to run and what he needs to execute it, we've had relative consistency in terms of an offensive coaching staff and that has resulted in filling our needs at every position offensively, with Collins in play as a bonus. I don't think the staff is better as recruiters or as "closers" now than they were a year ago, but rather they resolved the other issues that kept us from being broadly attractive to a high volume of prospects who might otherwise consider us.

[MadduxFanII]

One point I've wanted to make for awhile. My biggest concern with last year's recruiting class was on the offensive line, where, for the third straight year, we signed only two linemen, albeit two exceptionally well-regarded linemen. I was really worried about the long-term holes that might leave.

But Muschamp has done a fantastic job improvising this year and making up for the lack of bodies in the last two classes. Trenton Brown, the JUCO, was nice, but I especially love getting Moore and Garcia as transfers. Those guys really help fill out the lines and balance things out.

Would still like to have Avery Young, obviously, but the proven transfers and the JUCO lineman really make last year's o-line misses hurt less. Every coach makes mistakes or just has years where the recruits don't line up as well. The measure of the coach is how he responds to the disappointment, and Muschamp responded by ably scrambling. That's impressive.

Receiver is a different question, but I don't know that we had similar JUCO/transfer options at that position.

[GATORAZ]

Receiver is a different question, but I don't know that we had similar JUCO/transfer options at that position.

I watched film of most of the JUCO WR's I think Robinson is better than all but maybe 3. There are no Cordarrelle Patterson this year.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

All I'd love to add to this class is another DT and either a TE or ATH.

That said, if we stopped now, I'm ecstatic to say the least.

Never understood why so many harped and whined last year over a concensus #5 class anyway.

Look, the reality of college recruiting is that you're not going to get 'em all. Most of us understand that. What made last year frustrating, was that we were coming off a 7-6 season, the offense was probably the saddest product we've seen on the field in a long time for the Gators, and there were critical positions we needed to address going forward.

The one thing we KNEW we needed were playmakers. Agholor and Diggs both favored UF at some point during the recruiting process, as did Howard, Harvey-Clemons and Williams. Florida lost all them before, on and after signing day.

Now, think about what Diggs and Agholor could've done in an orange and blue uniform this year. That would've been pretty sweet, huh? Probably sweet enough to beat Georgia in Jacksonville, and who knows what else after that.

But all is forgotten now. This is a monster class Muschamp is bringing in. It's almost a perfect class, in terms of talent across the board, balance, and the fact that the staff has addressed every need. We know Muschamp can coach, and the future in Gainesville couldn't look any better than it does.

[GATORAZ]

The one thing we KNEW we needed were playmakers. Agholor and Diggs both favored UF at some point during the recruiting process, as did Howard, Harvey-Clemons and Williams. Florida lost all them before, on and after signing day.

Now, think about what Diggs and Agholor could've done in an orange and blue uniform this year. That would've been pretty sweet, huh? Probably sweet enough to beat Georgia in Jacksonville, and who knows what else after that.



I am not sure this ever was the case

[lief_ericson]

Harvey-Clemons wanted to go to UGA at least months before Signing Day and probably all along. His family wanted him to go to UF pretty much all the way through and I don't think they knew nearly as much as his friends at school did about his intense desire to go to UGA- this is what led to the Signing Day drama I believe- but his mind was likely made up all along and he refused to budge. He told a cousin of mine who had a classes with him a few weeks before 2011 Thanksgiving that he was going to UGA. There was no "leaning to," or "probably going to," or anything like that. He told her flatly that he was going to Georgia. Exactly why he was so set on UGA no matter what I have no idea but he was completely sold on UGA for a long time. Missing on Diggs was a serious bummer though and considering how little we had at receiver in 2011 and how little we signed in the 2012 class it was a major whiff in an otherwise very good class.

[Gatorrick22]

Limey's getting a head start on herding the fainting goats....

[NoahBeanBizzel]

I am not sure this ever was the case

Diggs was close to Weis. He attended FNL, he and his mom thought very highly of UF, and he was expected to sign with Florida. After Weis left it became a bit more open, but (Gatorsports) Zach Abolverdi thought we'd get Diggs. About a month before signing day Abolverdi also reported that we led for Agholor, and that he was merely waiting on an offensive coordinator to be hired. I know NA had been to UF several times. I honestly don't know how accurate that info was, but I remember both being considered Florida leans at some point. However, maybe I'm wrong. Howard came away from his visit to Gainesville a Gator, I clearly remember that.

But who really cares? It's a new year. Florida has five WR prospects in the fold. We're in great shape, Muschamp has a roster full of elite talent, and Florida is about ready to rock the SEC. Our last class was good; this one is even better.

[fox]

I am thankful that our recruits will have excellent upper classmen to lead and teach them.

[GATORAZ]

Diggs was close to Weis. He attended FNL, he and his mom thought very highly of UF, and he was expected to sign with Florida. After Weis left it became a bit more open, but (Gatorsports) Zach Abolverdi thought we'd get Diggs. About a month before signing day Abolverdi also reported that we led for Agholor, and that he was merely waiting on an offensive coordinator to be hired. I know NA had been to UF several times. I honestly don't know how accurate that info was, but I remember both being considered Florida leans at some point. However, maybe I'm wrong. Howard came away from his visit to Gainesville a Gator, I clearly remember that.

But who really cares? It's a new year. Florida has five WR prospects in the fold. We're in great shape, Muschamp has a roster full of elite talent, and Florida is about ready to rock the SEC. Our last class was good; this one is even better.

The USC people said they had Nelson the whole time and they never wavered. I bet Zack talked to Nelson zero times (could be wrong), Nelson rarely gave interviews. Nelson had been out to USC multiple times and his head coach is really good friends with Monte. People would just say they thought Nelson was going to UF because it was closer.

[The_Graygator]

One point I've wanted to make for awhile. My biggest concern with last year's recruiting class was on the offensive line, where, for the third straight year, we signed only two linemen, albeit two exceptionally well-regarded linemen. I was really worried about the long-term holes that might leave.

But Muschamp has done a fantastic job improvising this year and making up for the lack of bodies in the last two classes. Trenton Brown, the JUCO, was nice, but I especially love getting Moore and Garcia as transfers. Those guys really help fill out the lines and balance things out.

Would still like to have Avery Young, obviously, but the proven transfers and the JUCO lineman really make last year's o-line misses hurt less. Every coach makes mistakes or just has years where the recruits don't line up as well. The measure of the coach is how he responds to the disappointment, and Muschamp responded by ably scrambling. That's impressive.

Receiver is a different question, but I don't know that we had similar JUCO/transfer options at that position.


I love linemen on both sides of the LOS, and I firmly believe that's where the real meat of a team's success lies, along the LOS.

Five OL in this class was a superb haul, and all of them quality guys, but from now on, we just need to haul in no less than 3 - 4 a year, and sometimes on rare occasions, 5 - 6, but keeping a good rotation of 10 - 12 OL ready to play is vital to a team's success, especially in the SEC.

[coach]

If we can get all these horses to the barn, I'll be ecstatic

[RayUF07]

By the way, it's not like you're supposed to be excited about losing Agholor, Diggs, Williams, Howard, and Harvey-Clemmons.

It's hard to lose something you never had to begin with...

[gator07]

We have a terrific incoming class and I don't want to hear how Robert Nkemdiche, selecting Ole Miss at the end of the process despite having a Gator offer is a "coaching disgrace" by Muschamp's team to see him go to a lesser program, or something to that extent.

Oh geez. If we sign a full class we won't need to close anyone on NSD. Last year was totally different; we desperately needed to close on many NSD signees because our class was smallish (22 signed, with 6 EEs counting back toward 2011, meaning the class could have fit 9 more guys) at a time where we were sorely lacking depth.

So that class, as good as it was, failed to adequately address our three biggest needs - OL, WR, and overall team depth. Its a fair statement and Im not sure why you would want to discourage people from those kinds of nuanced discussions. OTOH, if you are just trying to police the message board for the idiots who will always find a way to make unfounded criticism of the coaching staff...well, good luck, because they are always going to be there.

[GATORAZ]

Oh geez. If we sign a full class we won't need to close anyone on NSD. Last year was totally different; we desperately needed to close on many NSD signees because our class was smallish (22 signed, with 6 EEs counting back toward 2011, meaning the class could have fit 9 more guys) at a time where we were sorely lacking depth.

So that class, as good as it was, failed to adequately address our three biggest needs - OL, WR, and overall team depth. Its a fair statement and Im not sure why you would want to discourage people from those kinds of nuanced discussions. OTOH, if you are just trying to police the message board for the idiots who will always find a way to make unfounded criticism of the coaching staff...well, good luck, because they are always going to be there.

If you look back at last year who did they miss on the Oline?
The players we "missed" on were S, CB, DT, 2WR. The team was and is fine at S CB and DT. We red shirted kids at S CB & DT so we obvilosly had some depth at those positions. Lets not forget we landed a DE on signing day which was a huge need. Keeping all your committed players show and ability to close.

[dadx4]

If we can get all these horses to the barn, I'll be ecstatic

Me too.

[hgator96]

If you look back at last year who did they miss on the Oline?


I thought we had a legitimate shot of landing Avery Young

[GATORAZ]

I thought we had a legitimate shot of landing Avery Young

Yeah but he named Georgia and Auburn his leader in like December. Plus he had family there.

[deathroll]

Limey's getting a head start on herding the fainting goats....

Nice one, rick.

[gatorinwc]

I think we will lose 3 or more along the way due to grades or fear of competition or peer pressure. Here is who I would like to close with.
1. Montravious Adams
2. Mackensie Alexander
3. Alex Anzalone
4. Alex Collins
5. Robert Nkemdiche
6. Jalen Ramsey
7. Durham Smythe
8. Kennard Swanson
9. Laquon Treadwell
10. Laremy Tunsil
11. Demarcus Walker

I think that would be a decent class.

[slayerxing]

If Florida had won the battles on 50-50 guys like williams agholor and diggs uf would probably be undefeated right now. Thats the reality of recruiting. That being said, the whining last year was ridiculous.
This is a much better class in regards to filling needs. But the lost battles from last year really sting. Especially when you consider how williams could have slid right in for floyd and how we still don't have impact wrs.

[Jaggator]

The title to this thread reminded me of the speech in the movie:

ABC...ALWAYS BE CLOSING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVQPY4LlbJ4

[LimeyGator]

I'm not policing anyone - I just think people get quite irrational around NSD and I'm calling it out, just as others are entitled to call me out.

[Gatorrick22]

I'm not policing anyone - I just think people get quite irrational around NSD and I'm calling it out, just as others are entitled to call me out.

I'm just playin'................I've seem many people have a melt down on signing day in the past.